Electric switch



Aug. 6, 1929.

W. W. BROWN ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed April 23, 1926 Inventor; Walter W Brown, by MW His Attorney.

Patented Aug. 6, 1929.

NITED STATES WALTER w. rnowu;

COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

nrnc'rme swrrcnz.

Application filed April 23,

The invention relates to electric switches, particularly those having renewable switch contacts and the improvementsprovided by the invention enable the switch contacts to a be accurately aligned and removably secured in the proper operating relation on the switch element supporting the contacts.

Although not necessarily limited thereto, the invention is particularly advantageous in in drum controllers having short contact segments, as the improved construction of the present invention permits the short contact segments to be attached and securely held in proper alignment on the rotatable 1a switch element by a single securing means,

such as a screw, bolt, or the like.

In carrying the invention into effect in a drum controller of the above character, the renewable contact segment is formed with a contact face of the desired shape and is provided with a suitable opening in the contact face for receiving the usual fastening screw, bolt, orthe like. In order to insure proper alignment of the contact segment on the supporting switch element. a guide lug is provided on the reverse side of the contact segment by pinching or forcing up the metal of the contact itself into a projecting ear. The supporting switch element is provided with a complementary slot in the proper position for receiving the ear projecting from the reverse side of the contact segment upon the tightening of the sec-uring screw or bolt. In this way the initial alignment of the contact on the switch element is effectively insured and displacement of the contact in service is effectively prevented without materially increasing the cost of either the renewable contact or of the switch element. In the accompanying drawing Fig. 1 shows a portion of a drum controller having a renewable contact segment constructed in accordance with the present invention, Fig. '2 is a sectional view of the controller construction shown in' Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the renewable contact segment.

Referring to the drawing, it will be seen that the rotatable controller drum is provided with a projectin arm 11 having a rounded supporting sur ace at its endupon which the renewable contact segment 12 is mounted in operative relation with the coopcrating stationary contact finger 18. The controller drum 10 is, in accordance with 1926.- Serial No. 104,172.

supporting surface substantially parallel.

therewith suitable for use in drum controllers, and is secured to the end of the arm 11 by a single securing screw 15.

For the purpose of insuring proper alignment of the short contact segment 12 on its supporting switch element, the contact is provided with a projecting lug or car 16 which is received in a slot 17 suitably formed in the end of the arm 11. Since the contact segment 12 is of ductile metal, such as copper,.the protecting car 16 may be readily formed by pinching or forcing it from the reverse side of the contact, as illustrated more in detail in Fig. 3. The n set locking car 16 thus is an integral part 0 the contact and may be formed. at very little cost. Furthermore, the upset ear is always located in proper relation with vthe opening 18 in the contact through which the securing screw 15 passes.

It will be observed that the sides of the opening 18 in the contact 12 are suitablychamfered to permit the head of the securing screw 15 to be located below the contact surface of the contact. This prevents damage to the securing screw and at the same time renders it readily accessible when the contact 12 is to be removed and a new contact substituted therefor.

WVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. The combination of aswitch contact having a contact face and a substantially parallel supporting face with a. projecting ear pinched up from said supporting face, a support for the contact having a supporting surface conforming to the supporting face of the contact and provided with a slot for receiving said ear to insure permanent alignment of the contact thereon, and means accessible from the contact face of the contact for removably securing the contact in alignment on the support.

2. The combination of a switch contact having a substantially flat supporting surface opposite the contact face and an ear pinched up from the said supporting surface and projecting therefrom, a switch element OF ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC- having arsubstantially' flat supporting surface provided with a slot for receiving said ear to align the contact thereon, and fastening means passing through the contact face of the contact for removably securing the same in alignment on the switch element.

3. The combination of a switch contact having a supporting surface opposite the contact face thereof and substantially parallel with the said contact face and provided with an opening extending through the contact face and the supporting surface thereof and an ear pinched up from the supporting surface of the contact and projecting therefrom, a switch element having a surface for supporting the contact and provided with a hole and a slot for registering respectively with the opening and ear of said contact, and a removable fastening member having an enlarged head engaging with the sides of the opening in said contact below the contact surface thereof and a body screw threaded in the hole in said switch element for holding the contact in alignment thereon.

4. In a drum controller, the combination of a rotatable switch element having a rounded supporting surface with a slot in the periphery thereof, a contact segment supporting surface of the switch element and provided with a projecting ear pinched up therefrom for engaging the slot in said switch element to insure alignment of the contact segment on the switch means accessible from the face of the contact segment for removably securing the segment in alignment on the switch element.

5. A switch contact formed of metal with a contact face and a supporting surface substantially parallel with said face and having a hole extending between the contact face and the supporting surface and provided with a projectin ear pinched up from the metal of the said supporting surface adjacent the said hole.

6. A switch contact formed of metal with substantially concentric curved contact and supporting surfaces opposite each other and having a hole extending radially therebetween and provided with an ear pinched up from the metal of the supporting surface and projecting therefrom adjacent said hole.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 21st day of April, 1926.

WALTER W. BROWN.

element, and 

